Gun-Shots Fired During L.A. GUNS' Set At Omaha's Septemberfest

September 1, 2008, 15 years ago

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According to Wowt.com, some scary moments at Omaha's annual Septemberfest celebration when occupants of two vehicles began firing at each other in the parking lot outside the Qwest Center Sunday night. No one was hurt. Police say about a dozen people were taken in for questioning.

Officers descended on the scene just before 11 p.m. as people attending the fair ran for cover. Witness Kevin West told Channel 6 News he heard around 20 gunshots.

Officers on horseback and others carrying rifles helped clear the area. The police helicopter hovered above.

Asked if OPD was going to step up security measures for Monday's final day of Septemberfest, Omaha Police Lt. Mike McGee said it's something they'll look into.

L.A. GUNS were performing at the venue when shots were fired. Singer/guitarist Phil Lewis has sent BW&BK; the following note regarding the show:

"Back at the hotel early tonight on account of our show getting abruptly shut down because a gun fight erupting adjacent to the stage. Up until that point the day was peachy, county fair kind of thing kiddy rides, funnel cakes etc in the parking lot of the Qwest Center in Omaha NB. We hit the stage at 10 pm and the place was rocking, All age gig, tons of kids up front lots of fans that always

show up when ever we play, great stage sound and lights. Perfect. Until I noticed during 'Over The Edge' three songs in to our set a stampede of at least a hundred people running through the crowd from right too left at full panic speed closely followed by cops and security giving the cut throat stop the show signal that took a moment to sink in before we quit playing and within seconds

several cops with guns drawn formed a blanket around us and whisked us back to the dressing room.

The stage is now a crime scene and even though I promised we'd be back we obviously weren't able to finish our set. Turns out a bunch of gang bangers opened fire on each other over by the rides and of course all hell broke loose I've never seen anything like it. Ironic, Last night we played in a corn field in the middle of Iowa for ten thousand bikers and not a single cop and there was no trouble at all and tonight things turned so ugly in a heartbeat at a wholesome Labor Day party.

We're all fine and I don't think anybody from our crowd got hurt. Props to the cops, I hate to think what could have happened if they hadn't acted so quickly. As we were leaving there were helicopters flying over the arena and a hundred police cars surrounding the perimeter. If we find anything I'll let you know. Wow. crazy shit."



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